Torrential Rains Trigger Fresh Disaster in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand continues to reel under the fury of nature as separate cloudbursts struck the Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts on Friday. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that the incidents occurred in the Bareth Dungar Tok area of Rudraprayag and the Deval area of Chamoli. The hill state, already battered by days of relentless rainfall, witnessed rivers swelling to dangerous levels, blocking highways and stranding families.
The incessant downpour has led to a sharp rise in water levels in several rivers including the Alaknanda and Mandakini, raising concerns of flash floods and landslides. Visuals released by Rudraprayag Police revealed SUVs stuck in mounds of debris, roads blocked by massive boulders, and gushing water flowing dangerously close to habitations.
💢लगातार हो रही भारी बारिश के कारण मंदाकिनी नदी का जल स्तर काफी बढ़ा हुआ है, थानाध्यक्ष अगस्त्यमुनि के नेतृत्व में पुलिस द्वारा अगस्त्यमुनि क्षेत्र में अनाउंसमेंट कर लोगों को सतर्क किया जा रहा है। pic.twitter.com/NyeAlJm7AY
— Rudraprayag Police Uttarakhand (@RudraprayagPol) August 29, 2025
Families Trapped, Authorities Issue Evacuation Orders
According to reports, several families have been trapped in debris triggered by the cloudbursts. The Rudraprayag administration stated that vehicular movement has been suspended on multiple stretches, particularly between Sirobagad, Bansawada (Syalsaud), and Kund to Chopta. With landslides and waterlogging making highways impassable, traffic has been halted at safer locations.
Authorities in Chamoli issued an urgent advisory asking residents living near riverbanks to evacuate immediately. “All people living in houses along the riverbanks, please move to safe locations without delay,” the Chamoli Police posted on X. Similar directives have been issued in Rudraprayag, where security teams and disaster response units are assisting residents in shifting to safer shelters.
Rising Rivers and Blocked Highways
The rise in the Alaknanda River has caused floodwater to spill over onto nearby roads, completely blocking the Badrinath highway between Srinagar and Rudraprayag. Traffic disruptions have also hit the Char Dham pilgrimage, with pilgrims being halted at safe spots until conditions improve. Police teams have been deployed to manage traffic and ensure the safety of devotees.
Meanwhile, in Chamoli, the Deval area has been badly affected with riverbanks eroded due to the heavy flow of water. Local reports suggest that multiple houses face the threat of inundation. District authorities have begun relocating vulnerable families and setting up relief camps in nearby safe zones.
Rescue and Relief Operations in Full Swing
District Magistrate Rudraprayag Prateek Jain confirmed that rescue and relief operations have already been initiated in the affected areas. He stated that continuous coordination is being maintained with the disaster control room to ensure quick response to emergencies. Rescue teams, assisted by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police, are working to clear debris, restore connectivity, and relocate stranded families.
Chief Minister Dhami assured that all necessary steps are being taken to minimize damage and safeguard lives. “I am in constant touch with officials and monitoring the situation closely. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of everyone affected,” he wrote on X.
Recurring Cloudburst Threats in Uttarakhand
This is not the first such disaster to strike the region this month. Earlier, a devastating cloudburst in Dharali, Uttarkashi, had left over 100 people missing and forced the suspension of the Gangotri pilgrimage. Although road connectivity between Uttarkashi and Harsil was recently restored, the yatra to Gangotri remains partially suspended.
District Magistrate Prashant Arya has already instructed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to expedite repair works so that the pilgrimage routes can be fully reopened. However, with more rain in the forecast, officials fear that repeated disruptions may continue.
State on High Alert
With continuous rainfall predicted, the Uttarakhand administration has placed all districts on high alert. Disaster management authorities are urging residents and pilgrims alike to stay vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow evacuation directives promptly. Emergency helplines have also been activated to assist those stranded.
The twin cloudbursts in Chamoli and Rudraprayag once again highlight the growing frequency of extreme weather events in the fragile Himalayan region. As authorities race against time to restore normalcy, local communities brace themselves for further challenges in the days ahead.
